A modified stethoscope to assist in the identification of tooth coloured restorations

Forensic odontologists are often called upon to assist in the identification of bodies. Since identification of the body relies on comparison of the post-mortem chart with the ante-mortem record it is important that all restorations present in the deceased's teeth are identified and correctly charted. If a restoration is present in an ante-mortem record then its absence in the post-mortem chart means that the two records cannot belong to the same person. However, tooth-coloured restorations can be difficult to identify, especially in the less than ideal conditions under which the odontologist may have to work. This study was designed to evaluate a simple technique for identifying tooth-coloured restorations, exploiting the difference between the surface roughness of restorative materials and that of the surrounding tooth substance. A conventional dental probe was substituted for the bell of a stethoscope. Differences in the surface texture of the tooth are reflected in changes in the sound heard by the examiner. The modified stethoscope is a useful and easily fabricated device, which may reduce the likelihood of small tooth-coloured restorations going unnoticed in post-mortem examinations. The ability to detect fissure sealants using the device may also prove useful in epidemiological studies.